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- Apr 18, 2009
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I imagine that this question has been presented a considerable number of times, but it is now of more importance to me since I just bought this gun this afternoon.
It is a 686, no dash, six inch with factory hogues. The serial #AUA 44XX. It came with no box, and the gun belonged to a gun store employee, who stated he purchased it from the original owner. It has clearly not had a high volume of rounds, as indicated to me by the lack of marking around the firing pin, the cylinder face rings were not fully burned, and there was no build up or flash burning in and around the forcing cone, all of which could have been scrubbed off or polished away, but there was no indication of that having been done. Exterior is 98 % plus in my view, with no scratches or markings anywhere, other than the standard Smith manufacturing finish, and it appears to have never been holstered. The cylinder locked tightly (for a Smith) and the gap was tight and consistent at each of the cylinders. The proof, of course, is in the firing, but lucky me, I will have to wait 10 days.
I have always wanted a 686 in six inch configuration, with no lock. They have been hard to find, at least for me here in California and I look often. It was listed for sale at $525.00, but got it for $495 (enough to cover the DROS here). I am happy with that price (considerably less than a current new one) because I want one. But again, until I fire it, my excitement is withheld. It is so clean, I am guessing if there are any issues, they would be from manufacture, not neglect.
My questions are: Was the price ball park? I'm just curious, if it shoots well, the price is not an issue regardless. Did they make a no dash or did we just miss it (don't have it in front of me)? What is the year of manufacture/shipping with that serial number? Would the Hogues be original to the gun? Here also, not an issue to me in that I prefer the Hogue configuration (fits my hand perfectly) over factory woods.
I plan to rarely shoot magnums, I just want to fire light to moderate stuff in that I have personal knowledge 686's (and 586's) are notoriously accurate. I keep an 8 inch 686 at my Colorado home so I am not able to compare it to this new one until I return there in April. The 8 inch is without question the most accurate 357/38 caliber revolver I own, although the barrel length and subsequent long sight radius my be a factor. The 'L' frames just seems to shoot extremely well in my opinion. I expect the same from this one, which is what prompted this purchase. The 8 inch is just too unwieldy for field work and I plan to shoot this gun often. It will be my primary field plinker.
I like the 686 because of the underlug. I have always liked muzzle heavy firearams, and the extra weight hanging out front is a pleasure to me. My 'Classic' 629-4 5 inch of course has the underlug and it is the favorite shooting 44 magnum in my collection, for the same reason.
Thanks in advance for your candid opinions and answers.
It is a 686, no dash, six inch with factory hogues. The serial #AUA 44XX. It came with no box, and the gun belonged to a gun store employee, who stated he purchased it from the original owner. It has clearly not had a high volume of rounds, as indicated to me by the lack of marking around the firing pin, the cylinder face rings were not fully burned, and there was no build up or flash burning in and around the forcing cone, all of which could have been scrubbed off or polished away, but there was no indication of that having been done. Exterior is 98 % plus in my view, with no scratches or markings anywhere, other than the standard Smith manufacturing finish, and it appears to have never been holstered. The cylinder locked tightly (for a Smith) and the gap was tight and consistent at each of the cylinders. The proof, of course, is in the firing, but lucky me, I will have to wait 10 days.
I have always wanted a 686 in six inch configuration, with no lock. They have been hard to find, at least for me here in California and I look often. It was listed for sale at $525.00, but got it for $495 (enough to cover the DROS here). I am happy with that price (considerably less than a current new one) because I want one. But again, until I fire it, my excitement is withheld. It is so clean, I am guessing if there are any issues, they would be from manufacture, not neglect.
My questions are: Was the price ball park? I'm just curious, if it shoots well, the price is not an issue regardless. Did they make a no dash or did we just miss it (don't have it in front of me)? What is the year of manufacture/shipping with that serial number? Would the Hogues be original to the gun? Here also, not an issue to me in that I prefer the Hogue configuration (fits my hand perfectly) over factory woods.
I plan to rarely shoot magnums, I just want to fire light to moderate stuff in that I have personal knowledge 686's (and 586's) are notoriously accurate. I keep an 8 inch 686 at my Colorado home so I am not able to compare it to this new one until I return there in April. The 8 inch is without question the most accurate 357/38 caliber revolver I own, although the barrel length and subsequent long sight radius my be a factor. The 'L' frames just seems to shoot extremely well in my opinion. I expect the same from this one, which is what prompted this purchase. The 8 inch is just too unwieldy for field work and I plan to shoot this gun often. It will be my primary field plinker.
I like the 686 because of the underlug. I have always liked muzzle heavy firearams, and the extra weight hanging out front is a pleasure to me. My 'Classic' 629-4 5 inch of course has the underlug and it is the favorite shooting 44 magnum in my collection, for the same reason.
Thanks in advance for your candid opinions and answers.
